Navan sees ‘steep’ adoption for new Iberia NDC connection

Travel management company Navan has established a new NDC connection with Iberia, which allows clients to avoid the airline’s longstanding surcharge on traditional GDS bookings.

Navan said that since rolling out its NDC connection with Iberia in September, more than half of the airline’s flights (51 per cent) have been booked through this new distribution channel.

The TMC said this represented the “steepest NDC adoption increase” of any of the 16 airlines it has developed NDC connections with so far. Navan already has an NDC link with Iberia’s sister carrier British Airways – both airlines are owned by IAG.

“Iberia’s use of continuous pricing via NDC means Navan customers have access to more price points than with GDS EDIFACT content,” said the TMC in a statement.

Michael Riegel, CEO of the EMEA region at Navan, added: “Our latest NDC connection with Iberia demonstrates that with a great partner and adequate investment, NDC bookings can be utilised rapidly and at scale.”

Navan offers the ability for clients to make changes and cancellations online through the new NDC connection with Iberia.

Beatriz Guillen, global sales director at Iberia, added: “Our partnership with Navan means that even more customers will benefit from Iberia’s exclusive NDC content, demonstrating the constructive working relationship we’ve quickly managed to cultivate together.

“We worked collaboratively with Navan to help ensure our NDC capability was quickly made available for our valued TMC and corporate customers, ensuring a direct line to modern airline retailing.”

Navan has also established NDC connections with Lufthansa Group, Air France, KLM, Finnair, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas and Air Canada.